Experimental drug shows 'phenomenal' results fighting California's Valley fever - SFGATE

What the report says

SFGate reported that an experimental antifungal drug, olorofim, showed encouraging results in a new study of patients with severe disseminated Valley fever, a form of the disease that has spread beyond the lungs. The study, published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that more than 70% of participants improved after receiving the medication, according to the outlet.

Valley fever, also called coccidioidomycosis, is caused by Coccidioides fungal spores found in dry soil in California, Arizona and other parts of the West. SFGate noted that California cases have increased sharply since 2001, rising from 1,492 reported cases that year to 12,444 in 2024, with preliminary state data showing 10,714 cases in 2025. Most people exposed do not become ill, but some develop prolonged respiratory symptoms, serious lung disease or disseminated infection affecting areas such as joints, skin or the brain.

Researchers from multiple institutions, including the University of Arizona Valley Fever Center for Excellence, studied 41 patients between May 2019 and August 2022 whose illness had not responded adequately to standard azole antifungal drugs or who could not tolerate them. Many were severely ill, including 30 with central nervous system disease. By day 43, 76% had reduced symptoms; by day 84, the figure was 73%. The study did not include a placebo group, and the treatment did not eliminate the fungus, meaning patients needed continued therapy.

Dr. Fariba Donovan, the study’s lead author, told SFGate the drug could be a major advance for patients with few remaining options. UCLA pathologist Dr. Shangxin Yang, who was not involved, called the results “phenomenal” and said California clinicians are seeing far more Valley fever than in past years.